Patent attributes
A wellhead assembly is disclosed which has a gas flow control valve with a tubular inlet into which a fluid from a well tube flows, and a gas flow line through which the fluid flows out from the gas flow control valve. An inlet tube has a first end operably coupled to the well tube, and a second coupled to the inlet of the valve. The inlet has a first groove formed on a surface thereof, and the inlet tube has a second groove formed on a surface thereof. A split lock ring is used which partially rests in, and which is substantially fully compressed into, one of the grooves, when the inlet tube is telescopically coupled to the inlet. The lock ring engages with the other one of the grooves as the two grooves become axially aligned during coupling, to lock the inlet tube to the inlet while permitting rotational movement of the inlet tube relative to the inlet.
